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Teen Zach Sobiech, Whose Song 'Clouds' Went Viral, Has Died

Zach Sobiech, the teen who touched millions of people with his goodbye song Clouds, has died.

The 18-year-old Minnesota student succumbed on May 20 to osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that he was diagnosed with in 2009. After multiple surgeries and months of chemotherapy, Sobiech then was told by doctors that the best they could do was slow the disease's progression, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

After his diagnosis, he wrote Clouds, which he then posted to YouTube in December. He said in an interview that it was a natural reaction to getting bad news.

“There are two ways you can go at a time like that,” he told the Star Tribune. “You can cry, or you can talk about it. I’m the type of person who talks about it.”

The video went viral, and celebrities led by actor Rainn Wilson created their own tribute to his song.

His death was announced on Monday by his family. “He was surrounded by his sisters, brother, parents and girlfriend," read the statement. "We love him dearly.”